Setting the Standards on Exterior Construction

The Four C’s of L.H. Krueger & Son

At Demlang Builders, we strive to do our very best when it comes to building a home. That’s why we don’t settle for anything less when selecting our contractors. As members of the Metropolitan Builders Association, we have built great relationships over the years, working with our trade partners to uphold quality standards for craftsmanship. One of our long standing trade partners is L.H. Krueger and Son, a local roofing, siding, and gutter exterior contractor.

For years, we’ve built a strong relationship with the L.H. Krueger team, sharing business and construction practices that make for a great partnership. Recently, we talked with Ryan Krueger about what’s important to his business and uncovered Four C’s – Certifications, Cleanliness, Codes, and Communication – that guide his team’s work with Demlang Builders.

Certifications in Safety Procedures

Rain or shine, slick or snowy, work doesn’t necessarily stop on a jobsite when there is inclement weather, and working on a rooftop can pose significant safety hazards for the L.H. Krueger team. Exposure to the elements and a high risk of a fall can make this a tricky trade to master – that makes safety training and certifications all that more important. At L.H. Krueger, all employees are OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) certified in Fall Protection Training. Ryan’s team is taught how to inspect, setup, disassemble, and maintain Fall Protection equipment, an important distinction that keeps Demlang jobsites safe for everyone involved.

“Safety is one of our highest priorities. We make sure all of our employees are certified in fall protection, and provide the best harness and tether systems we can to create a safe work environment for everyone,” Ryan explains.

A personal fall arrest system (PFAS) is one form of the fall protection requirements L.H. Krueger uses. The system is comprised of an anchor, lanyard, and a harness which can help prevent a worker from falling if used properly. While many other contractors use these systems, often they present a false sense of security. Without proper training and certifications, PFAS systems can be used improperly, causing just as much risk or more as working at a height without any safety gear at all.

Cleanliness on a Jobsite

When it comes to jobsites, no one likes a mess. Minimizing the debris around a home is something that Demlang Builders takes great pride in. The team at L.H. Krueger is a key partner in this initiative, always aware of and contributing towards the cleanliness of a jobsite.

“Working with Demlang Builders, material management is very well organized. Supplies are delivered on a ‘just in time system’ which helps us stay on schedule, while avoiding the undue clutter of materials around the jobsite. Proper timing of other contractors allows us to keep a jobsite cleaner and safer. When we don’t have to work around other trades that are literally ‘underfoot’ in our case, we can take more time to properly clean up after our work. Showing pride in a job well done doesn’t just mean quality construction, it means showing courtesy to the team, the homeowners, and neighbors throughout the process,” Ryan explains.

At Demlang Builders, we pride ourselves in keeping our jobsites as chaos-free as possible. With the amount of people coming in and out of our new builds, safety and organization is one of our highest priorities. As a homeowner, you’ll appreciate the fact that visits to your construction site are about enjoying the progress that is being made on your home, without the headaches of debris or disorganization!

Code Requirements

As a home builder, there are obviously certain rules and regulations that need to be followed. Building code requirements for the State of Wisconsin must be verified through a series of inspections throughout construction. Trade partners like Ryan know that takes preparation, quality workmanship, and cooperation with the local inspectors, as well as planning early in the process.

As active members of the Metropolitan Builders Association, both Rod Demlang and Ryan Krueger have participated in developing our industry’s standards for workmanship. Having helped “decode” the State Codes in the MBA Construction Industry Quality Standards guidebook, their expertise translates to real life: ensuring ice and water protection is installed on necessary roof pitches, making sure drainage planes are intact to help your new home “breathe” appropriately, and ANOTHER EXAMPLE HERE.

“It is important to understand code requirements from the beginning of the process, not just once you arrive on a jobsite. By the time the inspector finds a problem on a project, a fix will often mean added cost or delay. From architecture and plan review, to proper estimating and material ordering, we can avoid surprises and problems by properly interpreting and meeting or exceeding the building code from the very start,” Ryan shares.

At Demlang Builders, we believe that’s one really easy step in delivering a simpler building process for you. Expert craftsman who do it right from the very beginning…helping us bid and price our homes competitively and correctly!

Communication Across the Construction Team

On any jobsite, with any client, across every vendor – we know communication is the key to our success! Our cloud-based, app-driven project management software helps us communicate in the field with companies like L.H. Krueger, making for smoother timelines and stronger teamwork. From project scheduling, building plans, and specs to subcontractor assignments and contact information, everything is at the fingertips of our craftsman.

“It seems like a little thing, but knowing the other trade partners on a project really helps communication. I can lookup the carpenters working before me who will set the roof trusses, the radon and plumbing contractors who will be running vents through the roofing system, and view the entire construction schedule via Demlang’s software,” Ryan shares. “This helps my team stay organized, talking and texting updates with other trades which helps prevent overlap on the jobsite. When work gets performed out of order, hiccups happen. Communication helps prevent those hiccups,” he continues.

While it may take a little more upfront work to schedule a new project and construction team in our software, we know that helps avoid rush and communication issues down the road. When carpenter, plumber, radon contractor, and Ryan’s team at L.H. Krueger arrive in the right order to work, it maintains the structural integrity of your roof. No one has to return to modify or run additional vent work through an already-existing shingle roof, and everyone knows their part in the project. That’s communication at its finest, guided by technology and teamwork!

About L.H. Krueger and Son

A family-owned and operated business, L.H. Krueger and Son was founded by Lyle Krueger in 1981 with only two employees. Now with more than 40 employees, Ryan Krueger and Leah Krueger-Bitar lead the charge. They focus on providing quality and reliable exterior services to residential homes, including roofing, siding, gutters, and repair work. Demlang Builders is proud to work alongside Ryan’s team to help us build our unique and beautiful homes, knowing they bring the best in exterior workmanship and quality.

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